On September 26, 2024, University Medical Center (UMC) in Lubbock, Texas, was forced to divert incoming emergency and non-emergency patients to nearby healthcare facilities following a ransomware attack that caused a major IT outage. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., prompting the hospital to implement a local and regional diversion strategy to ensure patient safety and minimize disruptions to critical services. While the hospital is focused on resolving the issue, it reassured the public that inpatient care would continue and that UMC’s clinics and urgent care centers remained open.
In a press release, UMC emphasized that it was working closely with local partners to redirect patients and maintain continuity of care. However, some outpatient procedures were affected, with UMC physicians reporting issues such as being unable to access computers or phones, leading to the cancellation of certain appointments. Despite these difficulties, UMC reassured patients that essential care would remain available, and the hospital planned to update its website with further information the following day.
Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish was notified of the outage early in the morning and responded by contacting the county’s IT department and emergency management coordinator to prepare for any additional assistance UMC might require. The incident drew comparisons to other recent ransomware attacks on hospitals across the country, such as the 2024 attack on a Tennessee-based hospital system, which also led to patient diversions and cancellations. These incidents highlight the growing vulnerability of healthcare institutions to cyber threats.
As required by Texas law, businesses and organizations affected by data breaches involving 250 or more individuals must notify the Texas Attorney General’s office within 30 days. UMC’s ransomware attack may trigger such a report, especially if patient data was compromised during the incident. Additionally, the hospital has experienced intermittent phone issues and cannot process patient portal messages at the moment, with instructions given for patients needing prescription refills to contact their pharmacies directly.
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